RANDALLS ISLAND, New York, July 23–26 — Our coverage of the USA Outdoor Championships is divided into 5 parts: men’s track & field and women’s track & field, plus multis.
| Jump To Women’s Track Event Report: | ||||||||||
| 100 | 200 | 400 | 800 | 1500 | Steeple | 5000 | 10,000 | 100 Hurdles | 400 Hurdles | HMar Walk |
100: Richardson Near Top Form
HAVING DASHED wind-legal 10.7s twice in the past 5 weeks, and with defending champ (and ’25 world champ) Melissa Jefferson-Wooden opting for just the 200, it looked like the women’s 100 was Sha’Carri Richardson’s to lose. She did not disappoint.
In fact, the ’23 world champ had so much energy that after crossing the finish line victoriously, she roared through half the curve, then circled back to rally the throng of fans in the grandstand and give them a bow as they showed her their love. She even extended a strong hand to help NBC interviewer Lewis Johnson to his feet after he sat on the track with her for an interview.
Richardson, 26, dominated every round in capturing her third U.S. 100 title in 4 years, running her heat in 10.90 in still wind, a 10.78 semi with an aiding 2.6 breeze, then a legal 10.77 (0.9) in the final to match her season’s best. She didn’t have the best start, but blazed the last 80m to finish ahead of Kayla White (10.90) and Tamari Davis (11.00).
“It just feels phenomenal to be back in a better place and healthy mentally, physically and emotionally,” said the 26-year-old Texan, referencing the lessons of experiencing ups and downs over the past 5 years. “And it shows that hard work pays off. Everything that me and coach [Dennis Mitchell] have been working on is starting to show consistently.”
White, the senior member of the final at 29, was close to her PR (10.84) form from ’25, when she was runner-up to Jefferson. Davis won a tight battle for 3rd ahead of Anavia Battle (11.02), Jaslyn Gardner (11.03) and Nayla Harris (11.06). /Steve Underwood/
WOMEN’S 100 RESULTS
FINAL (July 24; wind +0.9)
1. Sha’Carri Richardson (Nike/StarAthletics) 10.77 (=AL);
2. Kayla White (Nike) 10.90;
3. Tamari Davis (adidas) 11.00;
4. Anavia Battle (adidas) 11.02;
5. Jaslyn Gardner (unat) 11.03;
6. Nayla Harris (unat) 11.06;
7. Kaila Jackson (Ga) 11.11;
8. Jassani Carter (Ga) 11.15;
9. Melicia Mouzzon (unat) 11.18.
HEATS (July 23)
I(0.0)–1. White 10.98; 2. Davis 11.07; 3. Celera Barnes (adidas) 11.18; 4. Lauren Jarrett (Tn) 11.20; 5. Carter 11.26; 6. Semira Killebrew (unat) 11.39; 7. Mia Edim (Duke) 11.48.
II(2.4)–1. Battle 11.00; 2. Jenna Prandini (On) 11.11; 3. Taniya Looney (NM) 11.15; 4. Kya Epps (Cinc) 11.19; 5. Jada Mowatt (unat) 11.22; 6. E’Lexis Hollis (GSTC) 11.35.
III(-1.7)–1. Mouzzon 11.30; 2. Brittany Brown (Nike) 11.46; 3. Jasmine Montgomery (unat) 11.50; 4. Jackson 11.50; 5. Alyssa Colbert (TxT) 11.55; 6. Maya Collins (Duke) 11.64; 7. Paje Rasmussen (BYU) 11.70.
IV(0.0)–1. Richardson 10.90; 2. Gardner 11.13; 3. Harris 11.20; 4. Jadyn Mays (Nike) 11.28; 5. Kortnei Johnson (unat) 11.32; 6. Mia Brahe-Pedersen (USC) 11.38; 7. Caisja Chandler (unat) 11.52.
SEMIS (July 24):
I(0.3)–1. White 10.97; 2. Davis 11.01; 3. Harris 11.04 PR; 4. Jarrett 11.20; 5. Brown 11.25; 6. Colbert 11.37; 7. Killebrew 11.37; 8. Mowatt 11.39; 9. Chandler 11.42.
II(1.9)–1. Battle 10.99; 2. Jackson 11.10; 3. Mouzzon 11.12 PR; 4. Looney 11.19; 5. Barnes 11.20; 6. Brahe-Pedersen 11.25; 7. Rasmussen 11.32; 8. Hollis 11.34;… dnc—Mays.
III(2.6)–1. Richardson 10.78w; 2. Gardner 11.02w; 3. Carter 11.14w; 4. Montgomery 11.17w; 5. Epps 11.18w; 6. Johnson 11.31w; 7. Edim 11.41w; 8. Collins 11.42w;… dnc—Prandini.
200 — Jefferson-Wooden Brings Star Power
THE HALF-LAP FIELD wasn’t loaded; only 3 of the season’s top 10 stood on the line. And maybe that doesn’t even matter to the fans when one of them is world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.
The overwhelming favorite, after bypassing the 100, led the heats in an unpressed 22.50. For the final, she had lane 6. Cambrea Sturgis, who ran 21.93 at altitude in April, stood in 7, with Texas A&M’s Camryn Dickson in 4.
MJW didn’t go easy on them. At the crack of the gun, she bolted beautifully out of the blocks and stormed the turn. By the halfway point, she already had built a substantial lead, her chip time at 100 an impressive 10.96. Behind her, Sturgis (11.20) led Jadyn Mays, Dickson and McKenzie Long.
On the straight, Jefferson-Wooden dug deep in a race against the clock. She hit the line with a 5-meter margin, her time an impressive 21.69 with a 1.0 wind. Sturgis claimed 2nd in 22.22, with Dickson (22.58) ahead of Mays (22.67) and Long (22.74).
Jefferson-Wooden’s winning margin of 0.53 seconds was the biggest in the last 28 years.
“I wanted to come out here and PB today,” admitted the winner, 25, “but a season’s best is a season’s best. And it’s 0.01 off my personal best [set winning WC gold last fall], so that should tell you a lot. I’m in a really good spot. I can’t wait to get back home, do some more training, and then go overseas.
“Going up to the line, I just told myself, ‘Just let each phase of the race come to you. Just go out there when the gun goes off,’ and that’s what I did.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
WOMEN’S 200 RESULTS
FINAL (July 26; wind +1.0)
1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (Nike) 21.69 (AL) (x, =7 A);
2. Cambrea Sturgis (adidas) 22.22;
3. Camryn Dickson (On) 22.58;
4. Jadyn Mays (Nike) 22.67;
5. McKenzie Long (adidas) 22.74;
6. Kaila Jackson (Ga) 22.87 (22.861);
7. Jasmine Montgomery (unat) 22.87 (22.868);
8. Jenna Prandini (On) 22.91;
9. Christine Mallard (USC) 22.96.
HEATS (July 25)
I(-2.1)–1. Jackson 23.05; 2. Long 23.14; 3. Kya Epps (Cinc) 23.41; 4. Maya Collins (Duke) 23.83; 5. Mckenna Watson (Az) 23.96; 6. Paje Rasmussen (BYU) 53.86.
II(-1.4)–1. Sturgis 22.58; 2. Mays 22.85; 3. Prandini 23.01; 4. Piper Jons (GSTC) 23.22; 5. Caisja Chandler (unat) 23.28; 6. Jassani Carter (Ga) 23.36; 7. Brianna Howard (TxT) 23.95.
III(-1.1)–1. Jefferson-Wooden 22.50; 2. Dickson 22.90; 3. Mallard 22.98; 4. Montgomery 23.18; 5. Tiriah Kelley (Bay) 23.25; 6. Karimah Davis (Asics) 23.54; 7. Mia Edim (Duke) 23.78.
400 — Favored Butler Matches Formchart
AFTER SHOOTING UP TO No. 4 on the U.S. all-time list with her 48.84 PR in Monaco, first-year pro Aaliyah Butler was the clear favorite in the 1-lapper. Sanaria Butler (no relation) was the only other entrant who had gone sub-50 this year, clocking 49.86 back in April but hadn’t approached that level since. Aaliyah, last year’s NCAA champion for Georgia, lived up to expectations with a wire-to-wire win.
The heats went according to form, with Alexis Holmes (51.71), Aaliyah (50.53) and Sanaria (51.10) each winning their sections comfortably.
In the next day’s final, Aaliyah charged out hard in lane 7, covering the first 100 in 11.92 and establishing a commanding lead. She cruised through 200 in 23.21, closing the stagger on Brianna White (23.82), one lane to her outside, with Holmes (23.95) running 3rd.
Sanaria (24.50) was last at halfway but started closing the gap around the curve. At 300 (35.85), Aaliyah’s lead over White had grown to 0.84 and she showed no signs of faltering.
Down the homestretch into a wind, Holmes had the fastest final 100 (13.71), but she just had too much ground to make up on Butler, who maintained a 5-meter lead and held that margin until the tape, crossing in 49.93. Holmes, who got a late start to the season while dealing with a hip injury, was a clear runner-up in 50.47. Sanaria (50.89) and White (51.19) took 3rd and 4th.
“Definitely a lot of work to do, but I’m just happy to get the win today,” said the winner, 22, who has been a DL fixture this year. “I believe I have my first 200 down, but I really want to work on my second half, and that’s what I’ve been doing.” /Rich Sands/
WOMEN’S 400 RESULTS
(July 25)
1. Aaliyah Butler (Nike) 49.93
(11.92, 11.29 [23.21], 12.64 [35.85], 14.08) (23.21/26.72);
2. Alexis Holmes (Nike) 50.47
(12.45, 11.50 [23.95], 12.81 [36.76], 13.71) (23.95/26.52);
3. Sanaria Butler (unat) 50.89
(12.72, 11.78 [24.50], 12.58 [37.08], 13.81) (24.50/26.39);
4. Brianna White (unat) 51.19;
5. Paris Peoples (unat) 51.23;
6. Hannah Douglas (Ky) 51.65;
7. Alexia Smith (Pur) 51.85;
8. Britton Wilson (adidas) 52.54;
9. Sami Oblad (BYU) 52.66.
HEATS (July 23)
I–1. Holmes 51.71; 2. Douglas 52.08; 3. Wilson 52.12; 4. Talitha Diggs (adidas) 52.63; 5. Ceonna Pipion (unat) 53.51; 6. Leah Thames (GSTC) 53.81.
II–1. Butler 50.53; 2. White 51.84; 3. Smith 51.88; 4. Oblad 51.95; 5. Cydney Wright (Tn) 52.30; 6. Piper Jons (GSTC) 53.87.
III–1. Butler 51.10; 2. Peoples 51.46; 3. Bailey Lear (Nike) 52.26; 4. Sara Reifenrath (GSTC) 52.67; 5. Bayleigh Minor (Tx) 53.43.
800 — Savvy Akins Is Back
THE WOMEN’S 2-LAPPER began as one of the best and deepest fields in the meet, with plenty of intrigue. Defending champ Roisin Willis had been running well, as had World Indoor bronze medalist Addy Wiley. Olympians Juliette Whittaker and Nia Akins (’23 and ’24 U.S. champ) were here, as were rising-star collegians Makayla Paige and Lauren Tolbert.
Former Stanford teammates Willis and Whittaker (who just signed with the Brooks Beasts) were garnering premeet attention, as was Wiley, coming back from a tough loss at 1500. Akins had her 1:57.36 PR and those two titles, but was just 4th at this meet last year and had not broken 2:00 this year.
In the final, Willis broke for the pole on the backstretch and led into the second curve (27.32 at 200), with Paige and Meghan Hunter following. Wiley then went wide down the homestretch and moved up behind Willis at the bell (58.55). Willis continued to lead on the final backstretch, with Wiley on her right and Hunter on her left. At 600 (1:30.11), however, Wiley put her head down and shifted into overdrive. Hunter went with her and passed Willis, as well.
But as they rounded into the homestretch, here came Akins, who had been on the rail, boxed in and seemingly in no position to win. She passed three runners on the inside, found space behind Hunter and then came around her into lane 2. Then she was past the BYU grad and finally even with and then passing Wiley with about 20m left.
The 1:59.25 winning time was modest, but Akins’ 28.66 finish (last 100 of 14.05) was stellar. A frustrated Wiley was 2nd in 1:59.40 and Hunter held off Willis for 3rd, 1:59.67–1:59.68.
“I was in kind of a tough spot,” the 28-year-old Akins admitted. “And then when a gap opened up, to just kind of go for it, and just see what happened.”
She added that “this [season’s] probably been the hardest one,” as she’d been the victim of a hit-and-run accident that left her with a concussion and time off from training. “I just didn’t know what was possible coming out here… but I think even if I didn’t take it, I would have been proud of myself.” /Steve Underwood/
WOMEN’S 800 RESULTS
FINAL (July 26)
1. Nia Akins (HOKA) 1:59.25
(27.90, 31.30 [59.20], 31.39 [1:30.59], 28.66) (59.20/60.05);
2. Addy Wiley (adidas) 1:59.40
(27.67, 30.94 [58.61], 31.55 [1:30.16], 29.24) (58.61/60.79);
3. Meghan Hunter (NikeSwoosh) 1:59.67
(27.46, 31.29 [58.75], 31.59 [1:30.34], 29.33) (58.75/60.92);
4. Roisin Willis (NBal) 1:59.68
(27.32, 31.23 [58.55], 31.56 [1:30.11], 29.57) (58.55/61.13);
5. Makayla Paige (NikeSwoosh) 1:59.72;
6. Juliette Whittaker (BrooksB) 2:00.48;
7. Emma Sullivan (KenSt) 2:01.13;
8. Lauren Tolbert (Duke) 2:01.17;
9. Paige Sheppard (NBal) 2:02.78.
HEATS (July 24)
I–1. Willis 1:59.83; 2. Hunter 2:00.38; 3. Sullivan 2:00.66 PR; 4. Tolbert 2:00.93; 5. Sheppard 2:00.99; 6. Michaela Rose (adidas) 2:01.58; 7. Heather MacLean (adidas) 2:02.16; 8. Taiya Shelby (UArm) 2:07.05.
II–1. Akins 2:01.78; 2. Whittaker 2:02.22; 3. Ajee’ Wilson (unat) 2:02.45; 4. Sammy Watson (unat) 2:02.83; 5. Olivia Baker (AtlTC) 2:03.99; 6. Allie Wilson (NikeSwoosh) 2:05.96.
III–1. Wiley 2:01.40; 2. Paige 2:01.45; 3. McKenna Keegan (unat) 2:01.64; 4. Valery Tobias (BrkB) 2:01.98; 5. Emily Richards (Atalanta) 2:02.41; 6. Makayla Clark (IaSt) 2:03.21; 7. Hannah Ballowe (unat) 2:05.02; 8. Rachel Gearing (AtlTC) 2:05.48.
1500 — Hiltz’s Latest Title In Streak Is Closest Yet
YOU CAN KICK WITHIN half-a-second of Nikki Hiltz, a quarter-second or even a few 100ths. But if the last four U.S. outdoor championship and indoor championship 1500s have told us anything, it’s this: Hiltz is going to find a way to get to the line first.
Yes, that’s 8 straight overall titles in the metric mile, but even more remarkable is how close they’ve been: 0.04 seconds Saturday, 0.05 in March, and the other six victory margins ranging from 0.16 to 0.62.
This wasn’t the slowest of those, but it was the closest and arguably fastest-finishing. Addy Wiley, who said afterward she wanted to lead and be able to match others’ moves, did just that at the start. But there was no effort to make it fast, so she towed the field through a 71-second opener. On the homestretch, just before 700, Jessica Kain went ahead from outside, with Hiltz emerging to go with her, and passed 800 in 2:20.
At the bell (3:08.11), Wiley had snuck back ahead on the inside and 11 runners were within a half-second. Emily Mackay had worked out of a box and she and Rachel McArthur were right behind Hiltz as the sprinting began in earnest.
With just under 200 to go, McArthur faded and the top 3 roared around the final curve. Mackay surged aggressively into the homestretch and seemed to propel Hiltz’s response as they edged past Wiley through the tape. Hiltz 4:06.92, Wiley 4:06.96, Mackay 4:06.98. The winner’s final 800: 2:01.44.
It was the narrowest victory margin in the event since Linda Sheskey’s 0.02 win over Chris Gregorek in ‘86 and the tightest 3-way finish ever.
“I really practice that all the time in training, just closing really, really hard,” the 31-year-old Hiltz said. “I’ve been in so many races this year where it’s been such close finishes. I’m so good at practicing [that] and I’ve just been practicing that all season.”
On the other hand, Hiltz said of the earlier Pre Classic win, “I knew I had it with 50 to go. Today, I had no idea. I was like, just fight, fight, fight, fight.” /Steve Underwood/
WOMEN’S 1500 RESULTS
FINAL (July 25)
1. Nikki Hiltz (lulul) 4:06.92 (71.15, 69.64 [2:20.79], 62.33 [3:23.12], 43.80)
(14.43, 29.10, 58.79, 2:01.44);
2. Addy Wiley (adidas) 4:06.96
(58.85, 2:01.51);
3. Emily Mackay (New Balance) 4:06.98
(14.48, 29.06, 58.69, 2:01.29);
4. Rachel McArthur (Asics) 4:09.59; 5. Claire Stegall (New Balance) 4:10.24; 6. Jessica Kain (Currently) 4:11.10; 7. Annika Reiss (UArmDS) 4:11.47; 8. Heather MacLean (adidas) 4:11.49; 9. Kylie Finger (Wi) 4:12.22; 10. Carlee Hansen (NikeSwoosh) 4:12.64; 11. Teagan Schein-Becker (Brooks Beasts) 4:12.82; 12. Taryn Parks (adidas) 4:15.57.
HEATS (July 23)
I–1. Wiley 4:04.17; 2. Mackay 4:04.29; 3. MacLean 4:04.51; 4. Hansen 4:04.92 PR; 5. Stegall 4:05.61; 6. Finger 4:05.78 PR; 7. Lindsey Butler (Bandit) 4:07.20; 8. Christina Aragon (Nike) 4:07.60; 9. Alex Carlson (adidas) 4:09.85 PR; 10. Chloe Foerster (NikeSwoosh) 4:10.86; 11. Eleanor Fulton (Asics) 4:11.90; 12. Ella Donaghu (NikeSwoosh) 4:17.72; 13. Cailee Peterson (MnDE) 4:17.98.
II–1. Hiltz 4:04.54; 2. Schein-Becker 4:04.91 PR; 3. Parks 4:05.14 PR; 4. McArthur 4:05.24; 5. Kain 4:06.21 PR; 6. Reiss 4:06.58; 7. Gracie Morris (NikeSwoosh) 4:06.70; 8. Charlotte Tomkinson (Gtn) 4:11.71; 9. Mia Cochran (Wa) 4:12.12; 10. Sadie Sargent (NikeSwoosh) 4:16.67; 11. Samantha Bush (adidas) 4:21.10; 12. Olivia Howell (adidas) 4:26.66.
Steeple — Halladay-Lowry’s Patience Rewarded
THOUGH SHE PRIDES HERSELF on being an aggressive racer, Lexy Halladay-Lowry worked hard to be patient in her steeplechase title defense. It paid off with a decisive push on the penultimate lap that brought the first-year pro home with another national championship.
A bloated field of 19 started the final after the heats had been canceled. The early pace was conservative with Gabbi Jennings taking the lead just before 800 and hitting 1000 in 3:08.93. Among those in tow was 10-time national champion Emma Coburn, who has been on the comeback this season after missing 2 years of steeplechasing due to injuries.
Three laps from the finish Jennings (6:11.65 at 2000) and Halladay-Lowry broke away for a 2-woman race. With 700m to go Halladay-Lowry made her move. “I went around her and in that moment I had to make a decision to make a hard move so that she would feel like she had to go with me,” she said. “I tried as much as I could to relax. One of my biggest strengths is my aggressiveness and me and Coach [BYU/Swoosh TC’s Diljeet Taylor] have worked really hard, and it took a long time, to be able to channel it until the moment to go.”
Halladay-Lowry, 25, steadily extended her lead before crossing the line in 9:12.54. A tiring Jennings (9:17.42) barely held off a late sprint from Madie Boreman (9:17.68 PR) for 2nd, with Angelina Ellis (9:18.84) and Courtney Wayment (9:19.90) rounding out the top 5.
The 35-year-old Coburn (9:29.68) faded badly over the final two laps and finished 7th. “I felt like I could contend for the win, or worse case top 3 or top 5, but really was just thinking about being in contention for the win,” said the ’16 Olympic bronze medalist. “And it didn’t happen. It’s frustrating and I don’t have an answer.” /Rich Sands/
WOMEN’S STEEPLE RESULTS
(July 25)
1. Lexy Halladay-Lowry (NikeSwoosh) 9:12.54;
2. Gabbi Jennings (adidas) 9:17.42;
3. Madie Boreman (unat) 9:17.68;
4. Angelina Ellis (UArmDS) 9:18.84; 5. Courtney Wayment (NikeSwoosh) 9:19.90; 6. Gracie Hyde (Pum) 9:22.10; 7. Emma Coburn (NBal) 9:29.68; 8. Sophie Novak (NDm) 9:37.25; 9. Marisa Howard (IdAfoot) 9:42.78; 10. Emma Gee (Currently) 9:47.13; 11. Lexi Goff (BYU) 9:48.16; 12. Sydney Masciarelli (unat) 9:50.26; 13. Emily Paupore (MnDE) 9:52.93; 14. Jenna Melanson (unat) 9:53.42; 15. Karri Baloga (BYU) 9:55.44; 16. Layla Roebke (unat) 10:12.32; 17. Sara Van Dyke (CalCoast) 10:17.77; 18. Madison Seiler (KenSt) 10:38.59;… dnf—Logan Jolly (Asics).
5000 — Mackay Bounces Back From 1500
DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE only taken 3rd in the 1500, Emily Mackay returned the next day and used a big kick to take the 5000 convincingly. It was her first outdoor national championship after winning the USATF Indoor title in the 3000 this winter.
On a hot and sunny afternoon, 16 started, with Parker Valby going right to the front and defending champion Shelby Houlihan on her shoulder. Valby, who has the fastest time by an American this year (14:39.88), hit the 1000 in an honest 3:01.02. At 2000 (6:01.53) she continued to lead with Margot Appleton, 10,000 winner Sydney Vaught, Mackay and Kayley DeLay the only remaining contenders.
Nothing changed at 3000 (9:03.40), but three laps from the finish DeLay was the first to drop off. Valby steered the group through 4000 (12:06.56) and with 2 laps to go Vaught and Appleton lost contact. Down the penultimate homestretch, Houlihan moved to the front, but Mackay covered the move. Valby could not match the surge and quickly lost ground.
Off the final turn Mackay went into a full sprint and quickly pulled away for the win in 14:55.82. She covered her last lap in 61.90, topped off by a blazing final 100 in 13.85.
Houlihan (14:57.88) took 2nd, followed by Valby (15:06.25), Vaught (15:08.41), Appleton (15:12.80) and Olympic steeplechase medalist Courtney Frerichs (15:13.80).
“It was one of the most fun races I’ve ever run with just the excitement building every single lap and the tension,” said the 28-year-old Mackay, who had come up just 0.06 shy of the win in the 1500. “I’m maybe a little less confident in the 5K distance than the 15, so to come out here today and refocus and stay really confident in the race, I’m just super proud of it.” /Rich Sands/
WOMEN’S 5000 RESULTS
(July 26)
1. Emily Mackay (New Balance) 14:55.82 PR
(72.15, 73.05 [2:25.20], 72.53 [3:37.73], 72.06 [4:49.79], 72.15 [6:01.94], 72.53 [7:14.47], 73.07 [8:27.54], 72.71 [9:40.25], 73.43 [10:53.68], 73.03 [12:06.71], 72.53 [13:19.24], 67.33 [14:26.57], 29.25);
2. Shelby Houlihan (unat) 14:57.88;
3. Parker Valby (New Balance) 15:06.25;
4. Sydney Vaught (Nike) 15:08.41;
5. Margot Appleton (NBalB) 15:12.80;
6. Courtney Frerichs (Nike) 15:13.80; 7. Elise Stearns (NikeSwoosh) 15:13.99; 8. Kayley Delay (BrooksB) 15:15.75; 9. Callie Hughes (unat) 15:23.59; 10. Ava Mitchell (NnAz) 15:25.89 PR; 11. Claire Green (TSDistance) 15:39.54; 12. Klaudia O’Malley (unat) 15:41.97;… dnf—Taylor Werner (Asics).
10,000: New Pro Sydney Vaught Takes Charge
THE WOMEN’S 10K WAS a respectable 5000.
In a field lacking the major U.S. stars, the moment was right for an up-and-comer to jump to the front and grab a national title. One eventually did, but early on, nobody seemed anxious to do so.
Vanessa Fraser led for most of the first 5K, mainly because no one else wanted to. Her first two laps barely qualified as a warmup jog, in 1:39.55 and 1:34.40 (no, those are not typos).
Arkansas alum and first-year Nike pro Sydney Vaught, 23, sat on her shoulder, and at halfway (18:09.44) surged to the front for some real racing. She brought Mikayla Reed, Katie Izzo and Allie Buchalski with her.
Vaught controlled the race the rest of the way. The per-lap pace dropped from the mid-80s to the mid-70s, and she ran with utterly perfect form and a calm composure.
Her pursuers could only try to hang on, and gradually could not. Reed dropped first, at 7000. Buchalski was next to fall, around 9000. Vaught gradually turned the screw on Izzo, and it seemed clear who would win as the latter’s head started to bobble.
By the bell, Vaught had a 12-meter lead. Her final 5K was 15:21.16, for a final time of 33:30.60. Her final lap was 69.02 versus 73.03 for Izzo (33:36.98). Buchalski held on for 3rd in 33:42.29.
It was Vaught’s second notable win of the year — she took the SEC indoor 5000 crown in February. She also won that event in ’24 and the outdoor SEC 10K in ’23. /Lee Nichols/
WOMEN’S 10,000 RESULTS
(July 23)
1. Sydney Vaught (Nike) 33:30.60 (finish: 17.32, 34.72, 69.02, 2:20.54, 4:50.48);
2. Katie Izzo (adidas) 33:36.98 (17.65, 36.19, 73.03, 2:26.70);
3. Allie Buchalski (BrkB) 33:42.29 (17.64, 36.12, 72.14);
4. Cailie Hughes (unat) 33:46.75; ; 5. Mikayla Reed (unat) 33:49.23; 6. Katie Camarena (Sauc) 33:51.80; 7. Claire Green (TSPenDist) 34:17.96; 8. Olivia Borowiak (MnDE) 34:26.20; 9. Savannah Shaw (UnionAC) 34:33.29; 10. Erin McDonald (rabbit) 34:34.52; 11. Chloe Scrimgeour (BrkB) 34:37.40; 12. Vanessa Fraser (Sauc) 34:53.56; 13. Ali Upshaw (NnAz) 34:59.12; 14. Danielle Polerecky (McKirdy) 35:12.31; 15. Madison Offstein (CPTCTS) 35:23.71.
100 Hurdles — Armstrong Glides To First Crown
SHE HASN’T WORLD RANKED since ’22, when she was 4th at the WC, but Alia Armstrong has been working hard to get back to that level. Indoors was promising, as she won the USATF title and placed 6th at Worlds.
Outdoors, though, she has lost more than she has won, and her season best of 12.50 only put her No. 7 among Americans. While some notables were not present — namely AR holder Masai Russell and Olympic finalist Grace Stark — the LSU alum still came as the underdog.
That changed in the heats, when the 25-year-old Armstrong led the standings with a 12.53 into a stiff 1.7 wind. The next best, 12.64, was recorded by both Alaysha Johnson and Keni Harrison.
Starting between Johnson and Tara Davis-Woodhall in the final, Armstrong got out best and built a lead by halfway, with Rayniah Jones mounting a challenge from lane 2. Then Johnson found her speed and came back on Armstrong, falling just short at the line as the ’22 NCAA champion took the win by a foot.
Her time, 12.38 with a null wind, is the second-fastest of her career. It was the only seasonal best in the final, with Johnson at 12.42, Davis-Woodhall 12.57 and Jones 12.59.
“I’m really honored,” said the confident Armstrong, who is unsponsored, “but it’s something that I expected… I just knew I had to get out and stay out… My start was amazing. I think I had a good reaction and to the first hurdle, I feel like I really pushed.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
WOMEN’S 100 HURDLES RESULTS
FINAL (July 25; wind 0.0)
1. Alia Armstrong (unat) 12.38;
2. Alaysha Johnson (MoreSpMG) 12.42;
3. Tara Davis-Woodhall (Nike) 12.57;
4. Rayniah Jones (TBBTC) 12.59;
5. Tonea Marshall (Nike) 12.72;
6. Aaliyah McCormick (On) 12.79;
7. Amber Hughes (WinSports) 12.86;
8. Alexandra Webster (unat) 12.91;
9. Keni Harrison (adidas) 12.92.
HEATS (July 25)
I(-1.4)–1. Marshall 12.80; 2. Davis-Woodhall 12.82; 3. Aaliyah McCormick (Or) 12.91; 4. Gabbi Cunningham (NYAC) 13.18; 5. Rasunek Tyler-Thompson (AlSt) 13.24; 6. Kassidy Hopkins (unat) 13.31; 7. Symoria Adkins (TxT) 13.65.
II(-1.7)–1. Armstrong 12.53; 2. Harrison 12.64; 3. Jones 12.73; 4. Kailey Elliott (ECar) 13.22; 5. Jaiya Covington (unat) 13.47; 6. Taylen Wise (Az) 13.71; 7. Rachel Mehringer (InSt) 13.90.
III(-0.9)–1. Johnson 12.64; 2. Hughes 12.87; 3. Webster 12.89; 4. Madeline Cooper (Ga) 13.34; 5. Brianna McNeal (unat) 13.53.
400 Hurdles — Paying Dues Pays Off For Cockrell
FINALLY. In her eighth straight appearance in the USATF 400H final Anna Cockrell claimed the win at age 28. Now her streak is nearly perfect, as she has landed in every place but 7th and 9th.
The 2-time Olympian has paid her dues in one of the sport’s most competitive events. This season, with WR holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone focused on having a baby girl (she arrived nearly 2 weeks before the meet), the way seemed clear. And Cockrell, the No. 4 ever in the event, seemed more than ready.
She cruised her heat in an easy 53.65, more than a second clear of the competition. In the final her biggest challengers looked to be ’16 Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad, now 36, and Shamier Little, 31, a 2-time WC bronze medalist.
Running from lane 6, Cockrell hardly saw her competition. She bolted to the lead immediately, making up the stagger on Little (in lane 7) just after the second hurdle. “I just wanted to set the tone and get aggressive from the beginning,” she said.
Deonca Bookman, tabbed for just 8th, got out well in lane 8 and held onto the 2nd position throughout. Not that it was close. By hurdle 6, Cockrell had a half-second lead. She never let up, continuing to the finish in 52.94.
That gave her a 1.01 margin on Bookman’s PR 53.95. Little took 3rd in 54.37, Bianca Stubler scored a PR 54.85 in 4th. Defending champion Muhammad was in 3rd when she slammed hurdle 7 hard and stumbled out of her lane to a DQ.
Only giving herself an A- on the effort — not quite happy with hurdle 3 — Cockrell added, “To get a win like this in front of so many friends and family is very, very special. It’s a race I’ll remember for a long time.” /Jeff Hollobaugh/
WOMEN’S 400 HURDLES RESULTS
FINAL (July 26)
1. Anna Cockrell (Nike) 52.94 (6.24, 3.85 [10.09], 4.00 [14.09], 4.29 [18.38], 4.35 [22.73], 4.53 [27.26], 4.74 [32.00], 4.89 [36.89], 4.90 [41.79], 5.09 [46.88], 6.06);
2. Deonca Bookman (Nike/USArmy) 53.95;
3. Shamier Little (unat) 54.37;
4. Bianca Stubler (TBBTC) 54.85;
5. Abigail Glynn (unat) 55.59;
6. Aliya Garozzo (unat) 56.11;
7. Riley Knebes (unat) 56.48;
8. Chloe Fair (unat) 56.59;
… dq—Dalilah Muhammad (Nike).
HEATS (July 25)
I–1. Muhammad 54.80; 2. Stubler 55.11; 3. Glynn 55.43; 4. Garozzo 55.47; 5. Natalie Block (unat) 56.36; 6. Jessica Wright (TBBTC) 56.81; 7. Arianna Smith (GSTC) 57.38.
II–1. Cockrell 53.65; 2. Little 54.69; 3. Bookman 55.16; 4. Knebes 55.46; 5. Fair 56.17; 6. Natalie Dumas (NikeNEP) 58.58.
Half-Marathon Walk — Harris Wallops Field
A DAY AFTER HER 27th birthday, Lauren Harris gave herself another major celebration.
The Long Island schoolteacher’s Friday night win in the women’s half-marathon walk at the 150th Anniversary USA Outdoor Nationals was a resounding occasion, too.
Her 1:38:35.6 clocking over the Icahn Stadium 52-lap-plus-300m again emphasized her domination over all domestic opposition in this newest Nationals event — which will also be on the LA28 Olympic card.
The four fastest-ever U.S. women’s half-marathon walks are all her property — and all are ’26 performances: her 1:36:04 at Poděbrady, Czechia, in May, her 1:39:21 at World Team Walks in Brazil in April to place 13th, her 1:44:03 at Gainesville in January. And now this one, a lot closer to home.
This was the Marist University alum’s second straight gold at the outdoor nationals.
Take it from Maria Michta-Coffey —winner of 50 national crowns at distances up to 40K — that Harris is headed for huge progress up all the lists.
“Lauren is really ready for big things,” she’d whispered in the ear of a walk fan at an indoor meet this winter.
Harris, competing the day after her 27th birthday, simply walloped the rest of the 12-women’s field. MMC was 2nd in 1:47.44 with Anjelica Harris (no relation) 3rd in 1:49:03.
“One step at a time [to the Olympics]” is her motivational mantra. “Whatever it takes,” she knows, and that includes some occasional 4 a.m. workouts.
Unlke most of the rest of America, Long Island (and all of New York State) embraces walking as a scoring event in girls track & field. Harris thus represents the latest in a long list of Empire State walk stars.
The perfect situation presented itself in her Marist years. Unlike other NCAA track staffs, Marist’s mentors supported her walk aspirations. They knew they had a potential Olympian on their team. Will other NCAA coaches now take that same view? Don’t count on it. /Elliott Denman/
WOMEN’S HALF-MARATHON WALK RESULTS
(July 24; track—simultaneous with men’s race)
1. Lauren Harris (NYAC) 1:38:35.6 (22:31, 22:52 [45:22.93], 23:23 [1:08:46.28], 24:25 [1:33:10.86], 5:25);
2. Maria Michta-Coffey (OiselleW) 1:47:43.5; 3. Angelica Harris (unat) 1:49:02.8; 4. Miranda Melville (NYAC) 1:49:19.7; 5. Lydia McGranahan (HARWT) 1:52:21.8; 6. Izabelle Trefts (unat) 1:56:01.6; 7. Katie Burnett (HarrierTC) 1:56:41.0; 8. Katharine Moston (unat) 1:58:52.2; 9. Angelina Colon (RalW) 2:00:50.2; 10. Katherine Miale (NEW) 2:06:40.7;… dnf—Ruby Ray (unat);… dq—Katie Ikhlef (WUSA). □
